ON ITS FIRST-EVER “Day of Common Learning,” Seattle
Pacific University explored the topic of integrity as an academic
community. Regular classes were cancelled for the October 17 event
sponsored by the new Center for Scholarship and Faculty Development.
In the morning, students, faculty, staff and members of the public
filled Brougham Pavilion to hear keynote speaker Stephen Carter,
author of the best-selling book Integrity. In the afternoon, 16
seminars were held across campus, exploring the topics of integrity
and character in various arenas,including health care, business,
technology, art, sport and more. What follows are examples of the
afternoon seminars, summarized by Response writers and other members
of the SPU community:

Members of the student club MOSAIC offered
a theatrical look at personal authenticity called “Where’s Your
Mask?”

Where’s Your Mask? Facing issues of vulnerability
and fear head-on, a student dramatic presentation of “Where’s Your
Mask?” encouraged audience members to acknowledge, accept and celebrate
differences in the Seattle Pacific community. The play, written and
performed by the student club MOSAIC, depicted a group of SPU students
from different walks of life learning to remove their “masks” and
be authentic with themselves and each other. A discussion betweencast members and the audience focused on why vulnerability
is critical to personal integrity. — Sarah Jio, Staff Writer

E.R. Ethics: Integrity in the Emergency Room
This seminar forced audience members to think through the ethical
challenges that come during the intense pressure when people’s lives
are at stake. Based on issues discussed in the freshman University
Seminar titled “Life From the E.R.,” the session focused on real-life
scenarios. What if a person dying of a knife wound refuses a blood
transfusion based on religious convictions? Should a comatose elderly
woman be kept alive, though her quality of life suffers? A panel of
premed students posed the questions and provoked a lively discussion
of the role faith might play in each case. — Clint Kelly, Staff Writer

Sex, Lies and Video Games: Integrity and Student Life
Some of SPU’s student leaders, including ASSP President Jason Van
Winkle, guided the discussion of integrity in student life, including
relationships, community, academics, identity and leadership. One
panelist brought up the hypocrisy of wearing a spiritual persona —
based on the expectations of a Christian subculture such as at SPU
— and the need to be authentic before ourselves, God and others. Another
panelist questioned students’ propensity to sacrifice integrity on
the altar of success and good grades. Students concluded that if we
are honest with ourselves and admit our brokenness, we can get beyond
pretense and into true community. — Joanna Rice, Senior English Major
Integrity in The Emperor of Ocean Park
A panel with two professors, a student and a staff member led a discussion
on Stephen Carter’s best-selling novel The Emperor of Ocean Park.
Did it, the panel asked, reflect his views on integrity? Some saw
a strength and consistency in the book’s characters that revealed
integrity. Others saw only an emerging integrity, especially in the
main character, Talcott Garland. One panelist argued that the novel’s
genre — which straddles mystery, melodrama and adventure — didn’t
meet Carter’s definition of integrity as “wholeness.” Participants
agreed, however, that Carter’s fiction writing style is a pleasure
worth experiencing. — Linda Wagner, Director of the Center for Learning

Integrity and Journalism — Mutually Exclusive?Falcon reporters and their journalism instructor debated, among other
things, what Carter calls “emotional pornography,’’ or journalists’
frequent focus on emotions by asking, “How did you feel?” What, asked
the panel, is the correct balance between humanizing the news and
acting humanely to people being interviewed? Student reporters agreed
that keeping their word and telling the truth are important to integrity
in journalism, although it isn’t always easy — or clear-cut. “Facts
are not as clearly defined as Carter makes it appear,” said one panelist.
— Tracy Cooper, News and Media Relations Manager

What Does Integrity Have to Do With Art?A panel made up of three professors and a student agreed
that being real or “authentic,” as Stephen Carter says, is key to
integrity as a musician, visual artist, graphic designer, actor or
writer. Panelists also echoed Carter in saying that a clear sense
of right and wrong is the first step in artistic integrity. Acting
on that moral vision in the art you create is the second step, and
stating your reasons is the third. — Merry Jensen, Performing Groups
Coordinator

From the President
The purpose of the Campaign for Seattle Pacific is bigger than ourselves.
"We are really investing in a venture of change and hope,"
says President Philip Eaton.

Meet the Alumni Board President
It took 30 years for the alumni board president, Darlene Hartley,
to rediscover her alma mater, reconnect with fellow alums —
and get a very warm welcome. [Alumni]

Reconciliation in South
Africa
Professor of English Susan Gallagher spotlights truth and reconciliation
in South Africa in her new book, as the African nation moves beyond
apartheid. [Faculty]

Friendly Competition
Intramural sports go back to the early 20th century at Seattle
Pacific. Their enormous success today is in large part to Howie
Kellogg, director of intramural and club sports. [Athletics]

My Response
Gary Ames, who funded the $1 million Ames Initiative on Diversity
at SPU with his wife, talks about the power gained through diversity.
[My Response]